Mental Health and Addictions

Directly, or indirectly, mental illness and addictions affects one in five Ontarians. It can affect our personal lives, extended families and workplaces. It also affects Ontario's health care system and the provincial economy.

The government is committed to an Ontario where all people have the opportunity to thrive, enjoying good mental health and well-being throughout their lifetime – an Ontario where people with mental illness or addictions can recover and participate in welcoming, supportive communities.

On June 22nd, 2011, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Education, the government released Ontario’s Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.

Open Minds, Healthy Minds offers a comprehensive approach to transforming the mental health and addiction systems through a clear mission, forward-thinking vision and long-term strategies for change. The Strategy aims to strengthen services, create a responsive and integrated system and build awareness and capacity within communities

Through strong collaboration across sectors, at both a provincial and local level, we can transform services so that all Ontarians have timely access to an integrated system of coordinated and effective promotion, prevention, early intervention, community support and treatment programs.

Open Minds, Healthy Minds takes a long-term view to this transformation and the first three years started with children and youth. The focus was on early identification and support, fast access to high-quality services and helping vulnerable kids with unique needs.

Ontario is now building on the first phase of the Strategy, expanding it to include improved transition between youth and adult services, and to invest in improved services and care for Ontarians of all ages that have mental illness and addictions.

A Mental Health and Addictions Leadership Advisory Council has also been established to provide advice on the implementation of the Strategy.

Read more about the expanded Strategy